The dangers of diabetes

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the heightened mortality risk among those with obesity and diabetes, and especially those whose diabetes is poorly controlled (Tan et al, 2020). Unfortunately, the incidence of obesity globally has increased significantly over the past 25 years (Alberca et al, 2020), with the proportion of those who are overweight or obese in the UK being among the highest in Europe (Eurostat, 2020). The increase in obesity has been mirrored by an increase in the incidence of diabetes, with 90% of the 4.8 million people with diabetes in the UK having type 2 diabetes (Diabetes UK, 2020).

Jenny Harries, England's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, has urged people to lose weight so that they are less vulnerable should they become infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This advice stems from the growing evidence that obesity is associated with an inappropriate immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, resulting in severe COVID-19 (Alberca et al, 2020). Additionally, obesity is the strongest risk factor for type 2 diabetes, with weight loss and calorie restriction reversing type 2 diabetes (World Health Organization (WHO), 2016). However, long-term weight loss requires sustained motivation and personal discipline, which is difficult for many.